NetworkProvider and PrintProvider Sections in a Network INF File

NetClient components are considered to be network providers because they provide network services
to user applications. The Microsoft Client for Networks and the NetWare Client are examples of
NetClient components.

In addition to being a network provider, a
NetClient component can also be a print provider. A print provider provides print services to user
applications over a network.

A
NetClient component is always installed as a network provider. An INF file that installs a
NetClient component does not require a NetworkProvider section for that component unless at least
one of the following is true:

An INF that installs a
NetClient component that is a print provider must contain a
PrintProvider section for that component. For more information, see
Including a PrintProvider
Section.

An INF file that installs a
NetClient component must also contain an
add-registry-section (referenced by a
AddReg directive in the
service-install-section for a component) that adds a
NetworkProvider key to the component's
service key. For more information, see
Specifying the Name and Provider Path for a NetClient Component.